NEWS: Dragons recorded their first home win in more than a year, beating Ospreys 20-5 in United Rugby Championship’s Round Five match at Rodney Parade.
After Ospreys wing Mat Protheroe was sent out for a dangerous challenge after just 27 minutes, the Dragons prevailed with to tries from hooker Bradley Roberts and wing Rio Dyer.
A really strange altercation broke out between Dragons head of performance Dan Baugh and referee Ben Whitehouse as a result of the ugly-looking incident.
Protheroe chased a high ball too upright, and this resulted in a devastating head-on-head collision with Dragons flyhalf Will Reed.
Before giving a straight red card, referee Whitehouse had little choice but to react to what he saw to be an insult from former Canada international Baugh.
“Dan, Dan, Dan, Dan,” said Whitehouse.
Come on in. You ever yell at me? [Baugh interrupts] No, pay close attention to what I’m saying. If you ever shout at me or speak to me in that manner again, you will be sitting in the stands.
In response, Baugh said, “I’m talking to my players.” Ben said, “I can talk to my players,” and as Whitehouse turned to leave, he laid his hand on him.
“Avoid touching me,” the irate referee yelled.
Whitehouse immediately turned to the sidelines and declared, “This man stays off the field from now on.”
“Dan Baugh, never step foot on the field again. I’m grateful.
“Thank you, but could you just make sure the team manager doesn’t let that guy back on the field?” he said.
“We will speak about it after the game.”
At this point, it’s unclear whether Baugh will face any consequences, although touching the referee is undoubtedly unacceptable at all levels of competition.
A URC charge might come next, and following the game, Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan stated:
“Dan was unable to return to the field while I was up in the gantry trying to figure things out.”
“I’ll investigate and try to get in touch with Ben.”
